Originally trained as a historian, Mirjam Müller has 25 years’ experience working with academic careers in various roles across universities in Germany. As a career coach and trainer specialising in academic pathways at a German University of Excellence and several other research institutions, she works closely with postdocs across disciplines and from around the world. She supports them in navigating the structures and expectations of the German academic system—from PhD to professorship.

She also serves on the advisory board of the German Postdoc Network, where she aims to improve conditions for postdoctoral researchers within the academic system. As an author and editor of a specialist journal on staff development, she works to strengthen career support in academia. Being able to operate at the intersection of different perspectives on academic careers is both a pleasure and a privilege for her.

Her latest book From PhD to Professorship was released on December 8, 2025.

What motivated you to write a guide to academic careers in Germany? 

In my work with postdocs, I often saw highly qualified researchers struggle—not because of any lack of ability, but because the rules of the system were not always clear. Explaining the system repeatedly highlighted the need for a practical, comprehensive guide. In 2014, this led me to write Promotion – Postdoc – Professur: Karriereplanung in der Wissenschaft, followed by three further guides on different aspects of academic careers, which have since become key references for navigating the German academic system. I’m pleased that some of this essential information is now available to the English-speaking academic community.

In your view, what makes the academic career path in Germany distinct compared to other countries?

While many academic systems share core features—such as relying on publications and funding as indicators of research excellence—each country also has its own, sometimes unwritten, conventions. In Germany, for instance, teaching tends to play a smaller role compared with research. The system currently offers many fixed-term positions for PhDs and postdocs; the downside is that career progression is relatively unstructured, with few tenure-track options. As a result, many highly qualified researchers face limited opportunities for permanent posts. Understanding the specific combination of formal rules and informal norms in any country in which you wish to continue your career is therefore crucial.

Why is the postdoc phase such a critical stage? 

The postdoc phase is when you begin to establish yourself as an independent researcher, develop a visible profile, and build the networks that will support your career going forward. It requires both a great deal of intrinsic motivation and a clear strategy based on reliable information. While no strategy can guarantee a tenured position, having one greatly enhances your sense of agency and your ability to manage uncertainties. Differences between disciplines are also important: in the sciences, securing grants and setting up your own research group is crucial, whereas in the humanities, publications—sometimes including monographs or a habilitation—tend to be more central.

What are informal rules that shape academia in Germany and how can international researchers understand these dynamics?

One key difference between the German and Anglo-Saxon academic systems is that prospective professors are expected to cover a fairly broad area of their field. Postdocs often move into a new area of expertise beyond their PhD, and understanding how these areas need to differ tends to be informal knowledge within each subdiscipline. It’s therefore essential to seek guidance from experienced researchers. Another point is that many senior academics expect you to take the initiative—develop your own career plans and ask for their advice—rather than waiting for them to come to you.